Apple Training Series: GarageBand 2 (Paperback)

by Mary Plummer (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Now that you can record eight simultaneous tracks with it, GarageBand 2 really does turn your Mac into a full-featured recording studio. To start taking advantage of it immediately, you (and your band-mates) need this Apple-certified guide from composer and master trainer Mary Plummer (who's also an Apple Certified Trainer). Through 20 hours of step-by-step lessons coupled with ample visual aids and loads of real-world tips, this book/DVD combo offers a complete, self-paced course in all aspects of GarageBand 2. You'll learn everything from mastering the interface and basic recording techniques to the secrets of arranging songs, editing and mixing tracks, adding effects, and distributing your GarageBand files. This thoroughly updated guide includes extensive coverage of all the new features of GarageBand 2, including multitrack recording, built-in real-time music notation, and smart recording features.

Product Details

• Paperback: 448 pages
• Publisher: Peachpit Press (April 3, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0321330196
• ISBN-13: 978-0321330192
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,086,473 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Official Book, What More Can You Say, April 15, 2005

By	John Matlock "Gunny" (Winnemucca, NV) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is the official training course for Garage Band 2, Apple's music arrangement software. This book is a detailed guide to recording, arranging, and mixing music using Garage Band, instrument recordings, and the library of more than 1,000 royalty-free Apple Loops that is included with the software. This book is more than a basic tour of the application. It provides you with practical techniques that will be frequently used to add professional-quality music and sound effects to a project.

This book is based on hands on training. It starts with how to install the software, and how to install the files included on the CD-ROM that comes with the book. The CD also includes a chapter on moving up to one of Apple's true professional grade music applications, Logic Pro 7 or Logic Express 7. There's enough information for you to judge if the more powerful application is worth the money for your needs.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Excruciatingly slow, October 11, 2005

By	Matthew J. Frattali (Fairfax, VA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

The writing is clear and easy to understand. If you work through the book, as others have mentioned, you will gain proficiency with the software.

But I'm surprised no one has mentioned that this book moves incredibly slowly. This book is written for people who are relatively new to comptuers. But if you have some computer proficiency, the step-by-step exercises are consistently repetitious and mind-numbing.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Nice style, poor support, July 3, 2005

By	Robert Patton (Orange, CA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

The book is well written and has an approach and style that lends itself to learning GarageBand easily. It is just unfortunate that there are errors in it (things it tells you to do which do not work), and there is no web support and no way to report errata to the author or publisher - actually quite surprising these days. So it would rate higher if it were correct or had a way to provide feedback, but as it is I am left wondering if the OReilly book would have been a wiser purchase simply because they support their books.